Obama visits Paris site of concert massacre

PARIS — President Barack Obama is here to attend the international climate conference that kicks off Monday, but his first stop was to commemorate the terrorist attacks that struck the French capital Nov. 13.

Less than an hour after Air Force One touched down, Obama made a surprise stop at the Bataclan concert hall, site of the most bloodshed that night: 90 people were killed when three terrorists struck during a show by the American band Eagles of Death Metal. They shot into the scrambling crowd and created a hostage situation of those who didn’t make it out one of the exits, eventually blowing themselves up as police stormed the building.

Obama will be weaving recognition of the attacks and discussions about revamping the fight against ISIL throughout his very short visit here, which runs through early Tuesday.

Sunday night, Obama was joined by French President François Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo outside the concert hall. He stood for an extended minute of silence in front of the burning candles and flowers there, laid down a rose, and walked back to his waiting car in silence.